US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran is effectively over after the United States launched large-scale missile strikes on more than 80 Iranian military sites, marking a major escalation in regional tensions.

The announcement came hours after US forces carried out coordinated attacks in response to what Washington described as Iranian strikes on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest oil shipping routes.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation targeted dozens of military installations across Iran with the aim of imposing "significant costs" on Tehran for allegedly attacking merchant ships and threatening civilian crews in international waters.

Despite declaring the ceasefire effectively finished, Trump indicated that diplomacy remains an option. He said the United States is still willing to engage in negotiations if Iran refrains from launching further attacks.

Iran responded within hours, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claiming responsibility for missile and drone strikes on 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. Tehran described the American operation as a violation of the ceasefire and vowed a "crushing response" against the United States.

The rapid exchange of military action has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, with global markets closely monitoring developments due to concerns over energy supplies and maritime security.

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the US military operation as "absolutely necessary," underscoring growing international concern over the worsening security situation in the Gulf region.